Margrethe II (Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid) is the Queen of Denmark. She is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Danish Defence and the supreme authority of the Church of Denmark. After the death of her father, she became the queen when some changes were made in the constitutional amendments according to which women were allowed to inherit the throne. After she succeeded the throne in 1972, she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, who ruled over the Scandinavian kingdoms from 1374 to 1412 around the Kalmar Union (1397 to 1523). Margrethe is the second longest-serving monarch in Danish history. In 2022, she completed 50 years as Head of State of Demark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
Wiki/Biography
Margrethe II was born on Tuesday, 16 April 1940 (age 82 years; as of 2022) in Amalienborg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Her zodiac sign is Aries. She was born at the Amalienborg Palace Complex, which was the chief residence of the royal family of Denmark in central Copenhagen. She was born one week after Nazi Germany’s invasion of Denmark, which took place on 9 April 1940. From 1946 to 1955, she did her schooling at a private school named N. Zahle’s School in Copenhagen and was a private student at Amalienborg for three years (1946-1949). She went on to study in New Hampshire in England, where she spent a year at a boarding school for girls named North Foreland Lodge from 1955 to 1956. She took private lessons and graduated from N. Zahle’s School with the upper secondary examination certificate (language line) in 1959. For one year, from 1960 to 1961, she studied prehistoric archaeology at Girton College, Cambridge and earned a diploma. From 1961 to 1962, she attended Aarhus University to study political science. In 1963, she joined Sorbonne also known as the University of Paris. Later, she studied at the London School of Economics in 1965.
A childhood photo of Margrethe with her parents
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Grey
Eye Colour: Blue
Family
Margrethe II belongs to the royal family of Denmark. She was born into the House of Glucksburg, which was a cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg.
Parents & Siblings
She was born to the King of Denmark, Frederick IX and Ingrid of Sweden, Victoria Sofia Louise Margareta. She has two younger sisters. In 1944, her younger sister Princess Benedikte was born. When Margrethe was 6 years old, in 1946, her second sister, Princess Anne-Marie, was born. Princess Benedikte often represents Queen Margrethe II at various official and semi-official events.
Queen Margrethe with her parents and sisters
A recent picture of Margrethe with her sisters, Benedikte and Anne-Marie
Wife & Children
In 1967, she got married to Prince Henrik of Denmark (Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat), who was a French diplomat. The couple has two sons. In 1968, she gave birth to Frederik, who is the Count of Monpezat and the Crown Prince of Denmark. One year later, in 1969, her second son, Prince Joachim of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, was born. Her elder son, Prince Frederik is the heir apparent to the throne of Denmark.
Margrethe with her husband and sons, Frederik and Joachim
Signature/Autograph
Margrethe II’s signature
Career
Queen of Denmark
Before she became the Queen of Denmark, according to the changes in laws of succession enacted in the 1850s, when the Gluckesburg branch succeeded, only males were allowed to be the heirs of the throne of Denmark. On 14 January 1972, her father and King of Denmark passed away, which rose the question that who would become the next successor of the throne? Margrethe did not have any brothers, which is the reason why it was considered that her uncle Prince Knud would ascend to the throne. When Margrethe’s father, Frederick IX, became the king of Denmark and Margrethe’s mother could not have any more children due to which some changes were made to the constitution in 1947 regarding the rules of succession. The new ‘Act of Succession’ by male-preference cognatic primogeniture, which came into force in 1947, allowed females to become the heiress of the throne only when she does not have a brother. After 14 days of her father’s death, Princess Margrethe became the heir presumptive of the throne at the age of 31. She was the first Danish female that became a monarch after the implementation of the ‘Act of Succession.’ When Queen Margrethe first addressed the people of Denmark, she said,
My beloved father, our King, is dead. The task that my father had carried for nearly 25 years is now resting on my shoulders. I pray to God to give me help and strength to carry the heavy heritage. May the trust that was given to my father also be granted to me.”
Duties as the Queen
Her duties include receiving foreign ambassadors, awards, honours, and medals. She is not allowed to take part in politics or share her political opinions; however, she has the right to vote. Every Wednesday, a meeting is conducted by the Queen with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Queen Margrethe II welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi
After the elections, when the government is formed, the Queen formally appoints the government. Queen is the head of the government, and she conducts the Council of State, where the bills passed by the parliament are transformed into law. The Cabinet of Denmark has the power to exercise most of the official powers of the Queen. Besides being the Queen, she is also given the designation of colonel-in-chief of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, which is the British Army’s infantry regiment. She attends foreign dignitaries as the Head of State during their visits to Denmark.
Silver, Ruby, and Golden Jubilees
In 1997, Queen Margrethe II celebrated her 25 years on the throne and conducted a religious service and a gala dinner that was attended by fellow Scandinavian royals. On 14 January 2012, the queen marked her Ruby Jubilee and celebrated 40 years of her reign. For the celebration, a church service, concert, carriage procession, gala banquet at Chriansborg palace, and many TV interviews were arranged. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an announcement on 17 December 2021 was made by the Royal House of Denmark that most part of the celebration will take place in the late summer of 2022. In 2022, the Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee on the throne. In the morning, the queen and Crown Prince Frederick joined the Council of State meeting. After that, Danish Parliament officially celebrated Queen’s 50 years in the Landsting Chamber at Christiansborg Palace. Around noon, a ceremony of wreath laying at the tomb of King Frederick IX and Ingrid of Sweden at Roskilde Cathedral took place. The Royal Family arranged a surprise dinner party for the Queen in the evening in Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg. The Queen received digital greetings on the Royal website rather than written congratulations in person at the Yellow Palace due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Queen Margrethe II during the celebration of her Golden Jubilee at the Parliament
Controversies
The Queen is a Chain Smoker!
Margrethe used to be a chain smoker and is infamously known for her tobacco habit, but due to new laws regarding smoking, she had to reduce her habit of smoking. After the announcement was made by the Royal Court, on 23 November 2006, the Danish Newspaper B.T. published the announcement that Queen was allowed to smoke only in private. Hence, she stopped smoking in public.
Margrethe smoking at a ceremony in 2002
You Don’t Become a Dane by Living in Denmark
In a book named ‘De dybeste rødder’ (The Deepest Roots) by Thomas Larsen, there are interviews of Queen Margrethe II in which she talks about the most controversial topics. She believes that Denmark should clearly set and clarify the ground rules and values of Danish culture to teach the people who are trying to become a part of Danish society. In an interview, while talking about this, she said,
We probably thought that kind of thing would go away on its own. If you walked the streets of Copenhagen and drank the municipal water and took the municipal bus, you would probably become a Dane in a short time. It was so obvious to us, and that’s why we thought it must be so for those who settled and lived here. That was not the case. We have learned that. It is not a law of nature that you become a Dane by living in Denmark. You do not necessarily do that. The pot in the pot needs to be changed a bit, I think. You can keep your roots, but you have to make sure that the soil is fresh.”
Awards & Honours
National
Denmark
- Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog
- 25 years of Homeguard Service Medal
- Medal of Honour of the League of Civil Defence
- Medal of Honour of the Reserve Officers League
- 100th Anniversary Medal of the Birth of King Christian X
- 50th Anniversary Medal of the arrival of Queen Ingrid to Denmark
- 100th Anniversary Medal of the Birth of King Frederik IX
- Queen Ingrid Commemorative Medal
Greenland
- Nersornaat Medal for Meritorious Service, 1st Class
- Queen Margrethe II Land in Northeast Greenland was named in her honour on 16 April 1990, on the occasion of her 50th birthday.
International
Argentina
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator San Martín
Austria
- Grand Cross of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria
Belgium
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold I
Brazil
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross
Bulgaria
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Stara Planina
Chile
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Merit of Chile
Estonia
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Egypt
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Nile
Finland
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose
France
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Germany
- Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Greece
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
Iceland
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
Iranian Imperial Family
- Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Pleiades
Italy
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Japan
- Knight Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
- Grand Cordon (Paulownia) of the Order of the Precious Crown
Jordan
- Knight Grand Cordon with Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali
Latvia
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars
Lithuania
- Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great
Luxembourg
- Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
Mexico
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Morocco
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite
Netherlands
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Nepalese Royal Family
- Member Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
Norway
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav
- Recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal of King Olav V
- Recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal of King Harald V
Poland
- Grand Cross of the Order of the White Eagle
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
Portugal
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
- Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry
Romania
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania
Saudi Arabia
- The Collar of the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud
Slovakia
- Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross
- On the occasion of her 80th birthday, she received the Tree of Peace Memorial Plaque on 16 April 2020.
Slovenia
- Member 1st Class of the Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia
Spain
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Charles III
Sweden
- Member Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
- Recipient of the 85th Birthday Medal of King Gustaf VI Adolf
- Recipient of the 40th Birthday Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf
- Recipient of the Ruby Jubilee Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf
South Africa
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Good Hope
South Korea
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa
Thailand
- Knight of the Order of the Rajamitrabhorn
- Knight of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri
United Arab Emirates
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Al Kamal
United Kingdom
- Stranger Knight of the Order of the Garter (7th Lady since 1901; 1979)
- Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain (1974)
Yugoslavia
- Great Star of the Order of the Yugoslav Star
Car Collection
Margrethe II owns a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith seven-seater Limousine, which is a Royal Danish Ceremonial Car known as “Store Krone” (Great Crown).
Queen Margrethe II coming out of her car, ‘Store Krone’
She owns many more swanky cars including Krone 1, Krone 2, Krone 5, Lexus LS 600hL, Hybrid Limousine, and Bentley Mulsanne.
Margrethe coming out of her Bentley car
Net Worth
As of 2018, Queen Margrethe’s net worth is around $40 million.
Facts/Trivia
- She is an accomplished painter and often organises many shows of her artworks. Her art pieces have been displayed in Sweden, Iceland, Germany, and Norway, where her works gained huge attention. For painting, she takes Thursday afternoons off work. Her exceptional illustrations were used in the making of the Danish edition of “The Lord of the Rings.”
Illustrations in the books of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by the Queen
- She has created Christmas seals and donated illustrated books and calendars made by her to many charity organisations.
- Margrethe is fond of archaeology, and she has taken part in multiple excavations that took place in Italy, Egypt, Denmark, and many South American countries. When she told him about her interest in archaeology to her grandfather, they both went to Etruria, which is located in central Italy, for discovering artefacts in 1962.
12-year-old Margrethe during an excavation in Illerup
- In 1960, she went on a trip to the United States with the princesses of Sweden and Norway. She visited Los Angeles and Paramount Studios, where she got the chance to meet many famous celebrities including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin.
- Margrethe is a fluent speaker of several languages such as Danish, French, English, Swedish, and German and has finite information about Faroese.
- To honour Queen Margrethe II, the Danish government has released multiple postal stamps. In 1941, the first postal stamp was released in her honour.
Three stamps were released on the Golden Jubilee of the Queen’s rule on the throne in 2022
- She is a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London (SAL).
- Margrethe was named after her late maternal grandmother, Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden.
- People used to endearingly call her “Daisy” when she was a child.
- The Queen is a supporter of many associations, foundations, and organisations such as the Royal Danish Geographical Society, The Hans Christian Andersen Ballet Award, and the Danish UNICEF Committee.
- Her official motto is –
God’s help, the love of The People, Denmark’s strength.”
- In an interview with a news agency in Denmark named Ritzau, Queen’s sons revealed that she liked to watch the “Olsen Gang” films.
- According to Ritzau, Queen Margrethe II loves birds and has been a member of the Danish Ornithological Society for 15 years. Her first bird pet was a pair of Canary birds, which she named “Mr & Mrs.”
- The cars that are used to carry around the members of the Danish Royal Family within Denmark have a unique pattern to name the license plate of the car. First, the name Krone is written then its number, for example, Krone 121.
- The Queen is very well known for her fashion sense. She wears clothes by designers like former Pierre Balmain designer Erik Mortensen, Birgitte Thaulow and more. In 2013, the British newspaper The Guardian mentioned her in the list of fifty best-dressed over 50. An article was published by British Vogue in which she was called an “An Unsung Style Heroine.”
An article published by British Vogue about Queen Margrethe II is a style icon
- She is a skilled designer, and she often wears clothes designed by herself. She has designed costumes for the ballet act ‘A Folk Tale’ by Royal Danish Ballet and for a film named ‘De vilde svaner’ by Peter Flinth in 2009.
Margrethe with the kids wearing the costumes designed by her
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education